Sandalwood welcomes decision to ease seating curbs for theatres

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: With the state government relaxing the 50 percent occupancy norm for movie theatres, gyms and swimming pools across the state from Saturday, exhibitors are optimistic to get sufficient number of movies for screening at theatres.

The state government’s decision has also made Kannada movies, especially big-budget movie producers, to expedite their plans to release movies within a few weeks. Kannada movies like ‘Love Mocktail 2’, ‘Four Walls’, and ‘Varada’, ‘Old Monk’, ‘Ek Love Ya’, and ‘Bairagi’ are expected in the coming weeks. Telugu movies ‘Radhe Shyam’ and ‘RRR’ are also scheduled to release within a few weeks. The release date of Kannada movie ‘Vikrant Rona’ is yet to be announced. Tamil movie ‘Valimai’ is scheduled for release on February 24.

Kannada movie industry, including it’s apex body Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), has welcomed the government’s decision to allow screening of movies at theatres with 100 percent occupancy. “We met Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar today. He told us that the government has taken a decision to allow screening of movies at theatres with 100 percent occupancy. It will help many producers and exhibitors. I hope the movie producers, especially big-budget movie producers, release their movies soon,’’ said Jairaj.

Expressing similar opinion, RR Odugoudar, chairman of Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation, has described the decision as a boon for Kannada film industry that has been reeling under loss.

“There are around 600 single screen theatres across Karnataka and 40 to 50 of them were closed due to various reasons. I hope all movie theatres will reopen soon,’’ said Odugoudar.

The announcement on the release of Ajith Kumar, Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Tamil movie ‘Valimai’ has brought cheers to exhibitors in Bengaluru. “Most of the single screen as well as multiplex theatres are expected to screen ‘Valimai’,’’ said Venkatesh Reddy of Mukunda Theatre.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Association president Chandrasekhar KV has said that there is no clarity on some issues like prohibiting eatables into theatres and allowing only those who received two doses of vaccination. “Canteens at movie theatres do not cook or prepare food. They sell ready to eat food items. We cannot prevent people from eating snacks while watching movies inside the theatre,’’ said Chandrasekhar.